UNITED STATES - As temperatures rise in the Northern Hemisphere, so do the squash prices in the United States. With grilling season and healthy meals coinciding more and more with the squash category, I synced up with Tony Incaviglia, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for GR Fresh, to get a read on market and crop conditions as we head into July.

“Markets are very active across the board, and I haven’t seen this in many years heading into our summer growing regions,” Tony tells me. “In addition to squash—cucumbers, bell peppers, and eggplant are crazy active. From a sales standpoint, we are chasing the field as demand far exceeds the speed at which we can get product packed.”

With the warm summer in growing regions across the U.S., crops are feeling the heat.

“I suspect hot temperatures in the Southeast and also out West have been a major contributor—and possibly transition challenges, although most are complete, have contributed as well," Tony adds. "I also suspect that as we get through the Fourth of July holiday weekend and, weather permitting, those small domestic farms begin to ramp up, markets will settle down.”

Additionally, PRO*ACT’s The Source reported similar market trends for squash with its Wednesday, June 29, 2022 report, noting that both coasts have seen strong markets due to lack of volume and quality.

“...more so on yellow than zuke,” The Source noted. “We will see increased production over the next few weeks as several growing regions get started, Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New York. California supply is steady out of Santa Maria and Baja.”

For more on the dynamic markets that make this industry tick, please check back with AndNowUKnow and our editorial team.

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